Costa Rica — celebrated for its lush jungles, vibrant wildlife, pristine beaches, and steadfast commitment to sustainable tourism — is witnessing a fresh wave of international connectivity as airlines pivot and expand routes. Despite a year of turbulence marked by route reductions, health concerns, and economic pressure, new services from Viva Aerobus, Porter Airlines, and Air France signal strong confidence in Costa Rica’s enduring appeal.
Airline Shifts Reflect Resilience
In 2025, Costa Rica’s tourism sector encountered headwinds. Some Latin American airlines pulled back — for instance, GOL ended its São Paulo–San José route, and Wingo ceased flights from Bogotá. These changes underscored shifting demand, operational realignments, and currency pressures. Still, the Costa Rican Tourism Board has responded assertively, seeking new partnerships and diversifying air access.
In one notable development, Mexican low-cost carrier Viva Aerobus announced a twice-weekly route connecting Monterrey to San José starting October 30 — its first direct link to Costa Rica. The schedule resumes permanently in March 2026 during peak travel windows, aiming to tap demand from northern Mexico and beyond.
Likewise, Porter Airlines is gearing up to launch direct services from Toronto and Ottawa in December, directly connecting Canada’s capital region to Costa Rica’s growing tourism circuit. This expansion broadens North American reach at a moment when access from the U.S. has tightened.
On the European front, Air France is scaling up its Paris–San José operations for the 2025–26 winter season. Its service will grow from seven to ten weekly flights during peak winter dates, then taper to nine per week as spring approaches — deploying Airbus A350s to offer capacity and comfort in one route.
These additions are not idle experiments but strategic moves. They reflect the government’s focus on securing reliable, high-yield markets to substitute for restricted access from other regions.
Tourism & Air Trends in 2025
Data from mid-year suggests challenges in traveler arrival volume: air arrivals in the first half of 2025 were slightly below the same period in 2024. This trend, combined with an appreciated colón (making Costa Rica more expensive for foreign visitors), created headwinds for hotels, tour operators, and small businesses reliant on tourism.
Yet, the new air routes inject optimism. International connectivity, especially from source markets known for higher per-capita spending, is critical to reversing potential declines. The expanded European service in particular leverages Costa Rica’s draw among eco-tourism audiences in France and the EU.
In markets like Quebec, Ottawa, and Monterrey, high disposable incomes and cultural interest in nature tourism suggest strong potential. As airlines launch these connections, Costa Rica could see more balanced tourist inflows, reducing overdependence on any one region.
Navigating Health & Visitor Confidence
In October, Costa Rica recorded its first case of yellow fever in over seven decades — an American tourist returning from the Amazon region of Peru tested positive. The Ministry of Health responded swiftly, mandating proof of vaccination for arrivals from endemic regions. This action aims to contain risk and reassure potential visitors that health safety is taken seriously.
Officials have emphasized that the disease is not locally spreading, and the vaccination requirement is precautionary. Combined with existing protocols for dengue, Zika, and mosquito control, Costa Rica’s health system continues to prioritize visitor protection.
These measures — transparent, prompt, and targeted — help offset negative perceptions. In times when travelers are especially cautious, visible efforts to manage health risks are as important as route access.
What This Means for Travelers & the Economy
For travelers, the new routes offer more options, potentially lower fares, and easier access to Costa Rica’s varied regions: Pacific beaches, cloud forests, volcanoes, biodiversity corridors, and cultural hubs. A tourist in Canada or northern Mexico now has a more direct path, eliminating some of the friction once associated with multi-leg journeys.
For the economy, the benefits may cascade beyond tourism alone. Increased visitor flows support hotel jobs, local transport, restaurants, artisan markets, and community enterprises. With airlines operating larger aircraft and greater frequencies, cargo capacity may also improve, benefiting perishable exports and supply chains tied to travel infrastructure.
However, success will depend on competitive pricing, marketing alignment, and sustaining traveler confidence. Costa Rica must ensure that arrival experiences, ground connectivity, and service quality match the promise these new flights bring.
Challenges Ahead & Strategic Imperatives
While the airline expansion is encouraging, key challenges remain:
- Exchange rate pressure: The strengthened colón raises costs for foreigners, possibly making travel less attractive unless offset by promotions or packages.
- Infrastructure and airport readiness: Surging traffic must be matched by runway capacity, customs processing, and local transport to avoid bottlenecks.
- Health vigilance: Any emergent disease or outbreak could disrupt momentum — continued surveillance and responsiveness are essential.
- Market diversification: Relying heavily on a few source regions is risky; Costa Rica must seek markets beyond North America and Europe.
- Sustainability balance: Increased tourism must align with Costa Rica’s conservation goals; managing visitor footprints will be critical to preserving its core offerings.
Outlook: Reaffirming Costa Rica’s Tourism Promise
The arrival of Viva Aerobus, Porter, and expanded Air France service marks more than route additions — they are statements of confidence in Costa Rica’s long-term tourism model. In a year when many travel hubs faced retrenchment, Costa Rica is opting to lean in, diversify connections, and reinforce its brand as a nature-first destination.
If these routes deliver consistent passenger loads, and if government and industry align to support seamless arrival and stay experiences, Costa Rica could rebound strongly in the coming high seasons. For eco-travelers, adventure seekers, and cultural tourists, these developments open new pathways into a country that remains one of the world’s most compelling destinations.
As 2025 transitions into 2026, Costa Rica’s aviation and tourism landscapes may very well reflect resilience transformed into renewed momentum — a narrative of adaptation, recovery, and growth flying toward the horizon.
For more travel news like this, keep reading Global Travel Wire
